Most people don’t realize it, but the herbs that many purchase at various nurseries and stores such as Home Depot, Wal-Mart, Lowe’s, etc. can be used for more than just adding flavor to your favorite dinner. If used properly they can be used to heal wounds, cure the common cold, headaches, etc. Don’t ever strictly depend on the use of herbs though, if you need medical attention from your doctor then get it.

The most popular herb by far is lavender. The reason why it is so popular is because it can be used for so many different things. One of the greatest uses of this herb is an herbal pack.

Herbal packs can be purchased at various places, but the internet is the best place to look if there aren’t many places around you. An herbal pack made with lavender is placed over the eyes or the forehead. It helps in aiding headaches, migraines, sinus pressure etc.

The herb used towards fever due to cold and flu is catnip. Catnip’s antibacterial properties and vitamin C content have led to its traditional use in treating fevers associated with colds and fly. Catnip tea is used to calm nerves and induce sleep, to soothe the digestive tract as a digestive aid, as well as to ease menstrual cramps and itchy skin.

When the tea is applied externally it can help in aiding chicken pox, hives, and measles. The leaves of catnip can be rubbed various meats to add flavor. Some use the young shoots of this plant and place it in their salad. Catnip seeds can be purchased at any store that sells packages of seeds. A great source for that is Home Depot. When planting catnip be sure it’s in a sunny to partial shade area.

Catnip Tea: Steep two teaspoons of dried catnip’s herb or four teaspoons of fresh catnip’s herb in one cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes. Strain out herb and drink up to three cups of the remaining liquid daily. It may also be enjoyed as a cold, iced tea.

Feverfew, an herb used for migraine headaches grows ‘almost’ like daisies. To reduce frequency and/or severity of migraine headaches 1-3 fresh leaves of feverfew can be eaten daily. Some use the leaves to make a tea as well. The tea made from this herb is sometimes used for arthritis pain, menstrual discomfort and to encourage menstruation.

Sometimes the bitter leaves are eaten between two slices of bread or eaten mixed in with various food. Just like catnip feverfew seeds can also be purchased from various stores. Be sure that when planting feverfew seeds they are planted in a full sun to partial shade area. Like with all plants and seeds be sure to read the instructions on the back of each package for proper planting guidelines. Warning: The leaves of feverfew can cause mouth irritation in some people.

Feverfew Tea: Steep two teaspoons fresh feverfew leaves or one teaspoon dried feverfew leaf in hot boiling water for 15 minutes. Strain out herbs and drink one cup daily. Sweet herbs, such as peppermint can be added to the tea for extra flavor.

These are just a few herbs that can be used for things other than cooking. With enough research on the internet almost anyone can find various uses with different herbs other than cooking by just looking for herbal remedies.

Most book stores sell tons of books on just herbal remedies in specific. Barnes and Nobles, as well as Walden Books are both large book stores. Each of which do sell books on that subject. There’s a little herbalist inside of most of us, so don’t be afraid to look for him or her.

By Jennifer Lachney